Brewster OKs open space, denies park plan

By K.C. Myers

kcmyers@capecodonline.com

November 14, 2012 - 2:00 AM

BREWSTER — Voters at Brewster's special town meeting Tuesday OK'd the purchase of 82 acres of open space for $1.8 million and approved spending more than $1 million for capital costs and special projects.

But the meeting was really about a multi-use park. After lengthy debate, Brewster voters indefinitely postponed one of two articles that would have created a 12-acre multi-use park for dog owners, skateboarders and seniors.

They also voted against spending $74,000 for the planning of the park by a close 117-to-99 vote.

The proposed multi-use park on land behind the police station on Route 124 would have included a place to let dogs run, as well as walking trails, and a horseshoe court for elderly residents, said Roland Bassett Jr., chairman of the recreation commission. "One-third of the area would be for senior recreation," Bassett said.

A long line of speakers argued in favor of the park, which would have also included the town's only skateboard park.

"Skateboarding promotes fitness and fun," said Tom Shanahan, 13.

"My brother and his friends now have to drive all over Cape Cod," added Tori Sci. "(Having a skateboard park) would save gas, which sure is expensive."

Mike Archer, manager of the Boarding House surf shop in Hyannis, said, "We have a lot of open space in Brewster, but we have no place where everyone can be together."

"This is your last shot for a dog park," said Selectman Edward Lewis. "If you believe we should have a multi-use park, you should vote for this."

But those opposed wondered if this town-owned land might have a more critical use down the road. Opponents also argued that the plan is premature, formed quickly after the Brewster Board of Health's ban of dogs in March from Drummer Boy Park, which was a well-loved area for dog owners. A private property owner is currently suing the board of health over that ban. The suit is pending.

Many felt the lawsuit needed to be resolved before they could vote in favor of the multi-use park.

"The finance committee unanimously rejected this for several reasons," said Herb Montgomery, finance committee member. "We're still in litigation at Drummer Boy Park."

"It's just a knee-jerk reaction to getting the dogs out of Drummer Boy Park," said Bob O'Donnell, an abutter of the proposed multi-use space. "It appears to be fairly poorly thought out."

Resident Lisa Forte-Doyle, who lives near the proposed multi-use land, said there are already plenty of walking trails and playing fields, as well as a skateboard park in Orleans.

"Will the police come over when they smell the strong odor of pot?" she added.

In other articles Tuesday, the voters purchased 26.65 acres off Freemans Way and 55.2 acres off Slough Road for a total of $1.8 million to be preserved as open space.

Town Administrator Charles Sumner said the town has been working for at least 10 years to buy the land. He called it an "extremely important" purchase that will protect the public water supply.